Complete makeovers to two prominent streets have moved up the city’s to-do list. North Lamar Boulevard between U.S. Highway 183 and Rundberg Lane and Airport Boulevard between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and U.S. 183 are slated for reconstruction by 2024 – earlier than expected – through a $65 million reallocation of 2016 mobility bond […]
Project Connect
This project brought together a series of Central Texas transportation agencies looking to build high-capacity transit options in the region in the wake of CAMPO’s 2035 regional transportation plan. The City of Austin’s much-discussed 2014 Urban Rail plan was part of Project Connect’s efforts.
Posted inHousing
Project Connect, anti-displacement funding made available
The Housing and Planning Committee convened on March 11, fielding discussion about anti-displacement funding, including $300 million from Project Connect tax revenue. The anti-displacement strategies discussed mostly involved using the money to acquire and preserve property in key locations for affordable housing. In order for the city to use the funds, it needs an interlocal […]
Posted inCity Council
Austin approves $23M to help prevent gentrification near new transit hubs
Austin City Council has put $23 million toward projects to stop people from getting priced out of their neighborhoods. It’s the first use of money from a larger anti-displacement fund set up to soften the gentrifying effects of planned rail and transportation projects. Real estate development, property values, taxes and rent will likely rise around […]
Posted inTransit
Cap Metro reviews details of first interlocal agreement with Austin Transit Partnership
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted Monday to approve a resolution authorizing Randy Clarke, the president and CEO of Capital Metro, to finalize a three-year interlocal agreement with Austin Transit Partnership. In addition to discussing some of the chief details of Capital Metro’s role in the agreement, the board focused its attention […]
Posted inAustin
2020: Highlights (and lowlights) of an unforgettable year
It’s not likely that anyone who lived through it will soon forget the year 2020. It’s possible, however, that one might forget the details of local news stories from the year. For that, we offer this review of the year that was, and we wish everyone a safe, healthy and much happier new year. The […]
Posted inTransportation
Project Connect moves ahead
Yesterday, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority provided updates on Project Connect, Austin’s expanded transit plan approved by the voters in November as Proposition A. Following the completion of Task I, which comprised a number of preliminary steps such as the approval of the system plan, locally preferred alternatives and the passage of Proposition A, Capital Metro’s board […]
Posted inTransportation
DAA study seeks community feedback for proposed downtown transit routes
The Downtown Austin Alliance is looking for resident and visitor feedback on two proposed transit routes it hopes will make traveling between different parts of downtown faster and more convenient. The proposed downtown circulator routes, which would serve downtown, South Congress and some of East Austin, are open to public feedback on the DAA’s online survey […]
Posted inAustin
City leaders and Cap Metro get to work crafting Project Connect anti-displacement plan
In November, Austin voters approved a tax increase to support Project Connect and the expansion of public transportation throughout the city. Now, local leaders need to figure out precisely where and how to spend some of that money, including $300 million allocated for anti-displacement strategies. On Nov. 11, City Council and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Commission reprimands PAC that opposed Prop A
The city’s Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously last week to send a letter of reprimand to one of the political action committees that opposed Proposition A on the Nov. 3 ballot. Local Democratic consultant Mark Littlefield filed 12 separate complaints against Our Mobility Our Future PAC, alleging violations of the city’s campaign finance ordinance. Jo […]
Posted inTransit
Application deadline extended for Austin Transit Partnership board
Application deadlines have been extended to 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 for community members interested in serving on the five-member board of the Austin Transit Partnership, the independent organization that will oversee execution of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Project Connect. The deadline was previously Nov. 27. Applications will be reviewed by the Capital Metro-City Council […]
Posted inElections
Voters pass Project Connect transit plan
With the passage of Proposition A, voters have given the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority the green light to build out the core elements of the city’s first mass transit system over the coming decade as part of a $7.1 billion initial investment in the $10 billion Project Connect system. Capital Metro Board Chair Wade Cooper […]
Posted inHousing
City unveils affordable housing and transit dashboard ahead of Project Connect
With a historic investment in public transit and affordable housing on the Nov. 3 ballot, the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department has launched an interactive map to track proximity of income-restricted housing stock to potential stations along the city’s transportation priority network. The tool, which was demonstrated to City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee […]